Any other low carb people out there?

Bethany7053

Hi all, wondering if there is any other low carb dieters out there? Last time I weighed myself, I was 153 pounds and I am under 5 foot with all the weight located in my stomach. I want to get down to around my pre pregnancy weight of 125-130. I chose the low carb diet because I have tried the low fat diets, low sugar, blah blah and it just hasn't worked for me. I can't take cooking steaks, hamburgers, roast, bacon and eggs for my family and then turning to a salad everyday. I still feel fulfilled on the low carb, I can have bacon and eggs with my family every morning, I can have hamburgers without the bun so I still feel apart of dinner time. I am trying to follow all the rules also- i take vitamins, I get my 20 allowed carbs from vegetables and some fruit. I have been drinking 64 ounces a day and I must say- not having hunger pains and having to remind myself to eat has been amazing! I feel like I can do it this time. I am starting week 2 now and would love some motivation support and talk to people that are also low carb. Feel free to add me!

loxottica

HI!!
I'm new to myfitnesspal and also new to lowcarbing. I'm looking for some lowcarb friends to help along the way, share ideas and maybe correct me here and there.

5 years ago I was at my best 127lbs fit and loving it . Then I got pregnant and had my son. I went up over 200lbs!! I was able to lose most of it, I was 15lbs away from goal. Then I got pregnant again and miscarried at 3 months. I didnt bother to lose the weight because I planned to get pregnant again... my body was so out of wack from the miscarriage that it took me a year to get pregnant again. Only to miscarry again at 3months again.

I had gained weight from both miscarriages and never lost it... plus I went into depression. I finally got pregnant and delivered a beautiful baby.

So I've tried a few diets and I cant seem to stick to it as I'm starving all the time! so I'm trying lowcarbing. I've googled and read on many success stories. I hope to lose the 60lbs that I'm over. I have to return to work in November and I hope to fit into my clothes again.

Cheers!!

cniemann26

Hi!
I am doing low carb as well! I did low carb about 3 years ago and was in the best shape of my life at about 115 (my family and friends once referred to me as the low carb queen). Unfortunately I fell out of the healthy lifestyle because I started dating a guy who ate terribly, was not very active, and went out a lot more than I was used to (chalk it up to the infamous college relationship mistake). I ended up getting lazy and gaining about 50 pounds.

In the past year and a half since that relationship ended I have fluctuated 10 lbs here and there but have generally stayed the same. I have since met a wonderful guy who I want to be the best version of myself for. I have started changing my life for the better and am trying to get back into my low carb lifestyle. I would love some friends that are on the low carb train as well!

mweb21

The low carb diet really works. I tired it before and lost a ton of weight. Unfortunately, I just couldn't keep it off in the long run. Breads are my biggest weakness. I'm trying a different approach this time around. Trying to limit myself to 50 carbs, though haven't been that successful, but the weight is coming off.

sophrosyne_

i'm mostly low-carbing lately. no wheat, grains, or sugar. most of my carbs come from vegetables, and the occasional greek yogurt. i try to stay between 30-50 carbs a day.

kam502

I feel the best when I eat very low carbs, try to stick to whole grains, and eat lean protien, fruit and vegetables. Once upon a time this was called Weight Watchers Core. I did well on it but had to recuperate from double knee replacement and back slid. Now I'm trying agsin. Feel free to add me

ruthejp13

Congrats on going low carb. Not having cravings and losing weight is a great feeling. About a decade ago, I lost 54 pounds going low carb. For most of the past 12 years I've avoided bread, potatoes and rice. I had some stressful times and ate birthday cake and frosting and cases of candy bars but still no bread, potatoes or rice. I eventually gained the weight back and then some but have repeatedly lost and kept it off for long stretches.

Here are my biggest low carb tips:
* Eat Bell Peppers - you need your vitamin C
* Don't limit your veggies even if it puts you over the carb count.
* After the first 2 weeks and the cravings are gone, start adding Greek Yogurt to your diet for the calcium.
* Replace pasta with cauliflower or spaghetti squash.
* Unless you have high blood pressure, start adding a little salt to your foods if you are not reaching sodium goals.

More about me. I just finished a 6 month weight loss study for Northwestern University using a low-fat diet. I lost 20 pounds but it sucked. It was really slow and if I exceeded my fat grams but hadn't eaten enough calories, I'd eat some carbs and then crave more food and go over my calories. So when I needed more calories but couldn't have more fat, I started drinking wine. I was getting really anxious for the study to end so I could start eating fat and losing weight. I lost 7 pounds the first 2 weeks after the study ended. It took me 2 months to lose 7 pounds on the low-fat diet. The American Diabetes Assoc has finally acknowledged all the studies that say low-carb is better for you. One study showed that people eating low carb have a 300 calorie a day metabolic advantage. Several studies admit that low-fat is not sustainable and causes weight gain due to cravings.

rrhealy

I am new to low carb but it makes a lot of sense to me so I am here for anyone that needs support!

toadg53

Hi all. I am low carb. Also high protein and can be high fat, but actually the amount of fat is neither here nor there. I got this food plan from my doctor. He is a nutritional doctor. I am insulin resistant, so carbs and added sugars are out for me. And the plan has worked for me. No white flour, no processed foods. Whole fat dairy. Anyway, works for me. And it's something I can sustain after I reach my goal. I have no choice in the matter. I did go over on carbs today ... not sure what the heck happened here. But otherwise, my days I don't go over 50 carbs ever. I have an open food diary, probably for friends, so feel free to add me if anybody would like.

loxottica

HI, so here is a question: Im around 20carbs/day... and I've been on key with this for 5 days.. (I just started logging here a couple of days ago) and my question is how fast should I see results. I'm reading all over the place people losing a few pounds the first week.. I havent seen any loss yet... am I being impatient? or will it all of the sudden kick in??

rlengland2014

Just like any diet, how much you initially lose depends on start weight. Most of it is water anyway. Get your salt and potassium to avoid the Atkins flu and drink lots of water.
I wish I had done measurements when I started: even when the scale doesn't move, the inches seem to come off.
Good luck!

Bethany7053

Thanks everyone! I accepted/sent requests to you all. I have been at this a week and I believe I'v lost a pound or two. I remember doing low carb a couple years ago and I lost nothing for 10 or 12 days and then one morning had a 4 pound loss. Stick to it

shed50kg

I have been on a low carb lifestyle (not diet) for 8 weeks, and I am losing an average of a kilo per week. Never feel hungry unlike other lifestyles of eating which I have tried. Also, never been bored with it and do not miss most foods I used to eat.

I tried weighing foods and recording all my foods on MFP in the past but it became a chore and I also found it hard to stick too by just cutting calories.

Instead of cutting calories, I now cut out refined sugars, breads, pastas, rices and potatoes. I now eat eggs, cheeses, above the ground veggies, fruits (apart from bananas), chicken, pork, 100% meat burgers, real bacon (not processed). Eat lots of salads too.

I always struggled to drink water but now found a solution in soda water (only carbonated water) and when cold it is so refreshing and fills you up.

I even have to force myself to eat sometimes as the low carb way of eating makes you a lot less hungry as it stops all the sugar cravings too which make you want to eat.

I am sure now, I found the right eating lifestyle for me now, of course it will not suit everyone but it works for me.

watermage21

Cutting bad carbs like bread and pasta... easy on rice and potatoes so its really helping.

chani8

Watermage, there is no such thing as bad carbs, and rice and potatoes are more calorie heavy than bread and pasta. You've kind of got it backwards. But that's ok. Do the best you can.

I've been low carbing for over a year, in and out of ketosis, and my advice is that a 100 carbs a day is healthy. Unless you've got diabetes or bipolar disorder and need ketosis.

In my experience, if you eliminate all resistant starches, you risk getting SIBO. You've got to have a small amount of oats or other starch, to keep your stomach healthy. I learned that the hard way, and once getting SIBO, we'll, it's nearly impossible to cure.

So go for low carbing and enjoy it. But really, check out atkins' website and you'll see that he expected people to eventually go back to eating resistant starches, not stay in ketosis forever.

I realize many of you are just starting out, so all this might confuse you. Low carbing is good, but there are extremes, and you really don't need to go extreme to benefit from it. That's my point. And sometimes the extremes of low carbing create tummy problems, and even depression in some people.

Also, calories do count. Don't let LCHF propaganda convince you that you can eat all the food you want as long as it's low carb. It's simply not true. Calories count, totally.

It's also important to count calories while low carbing, because some people don't eat enough food, as a result of feeling satiated from the protein. As you get really good at finding low carb meals, it gets hard to not overeat.

MusicofAria

I'm just starting low carb. I have been on a MILLION different diets, so we'll see how this goes. Anyone in this thread can add me. Maybe we can swap tips.

Trilby16

I did a stretch of about 2 years of low-carbing ten or so years ago and it worked great. Then I fell off the wagon and my weight moved around a bit and I tried other eating programs (trying not to say diet) with more or less success. I joined FP in Jan. 2013 and counted calories and lost 15-18 pounds. It was great! And then I tried to maintain and just became RAVENOUS!

I was never not hungry for a minute. So the weight came back. I thought I better try low-carb again, because of an article I read about getting your insulin in line so you're not famished all the time....

Now I'm a week in, and nothing's happening. Zero. Nada. Zip. I'm sticking to it but I'm disappointed. I remember much quicker results in the past. But then, everything sucks more "as we get older," doesn't it?

Any older women trying this and getting results?

AmyMS86

I started watching my carbs in January. I did really well and lost about 15 pounts until I started a new job in March. I got out of my routine and feel back into old eating habits. Luckily (and suprisingly) I only gained a few pounds back, but I started low carb again in May. I think my biggest issue was with not being prepared, but I just make sure I have my meals lined out and it's easy to stay on track. Yesterday I went over my carbs (Olive Garden for lunch), but I'm not beating myself up about it. I know there will be days like that, no big deal. I didn't let my bad lunch turn into a bad day, and had a sensible dinner. Today I'm right back on plan.

M25melissaT

I'm so done with excuses. So I've been on the no carb diet for 2weeks. hasn't been easy! Pray this works. Need all the support, glad to share aswell.

stickersticker

I've been yoyoing on low carbs for about 5 weeks now. Onions and hotdogs has to be the answer to being healthier.

toscarthearmada

After reading your OP, it sounds like you have Insulin Resistance since the majority of your weight is located around your waste. Have you ever been checked?

I'm on a low carb diet too. Although, with my diet I can have 120 grams (30 gs at meals and 15 at snacks) and I've managed to lose over 100 pounds. If you're working out, I wouldn't do a LOW LOW carb diet. You still need those complex carbs to keep up energy.

Feel free to add.

remlaw06

I've been low-carbing as a lifestyle for a few months now. I go out of it every once in awhile for special occassions, but try to stick to less than 100 a day. So far, it has been great and I never feel like I am depriving myself. If I want a beer, I drink a beer. If I want a piece of cake, I eat a piece of cake. I just watch what else I eat that day. It's very freeing. I am losing weight slowly. I am sure that if I lowered my carbs that I would lose weight fast, but this is a lifestyle, not a diet. I would rather lose slowly and be able to stick with it long term.

My diary is open. I try to make a lot of low carb meals - especially for lunch and would love to trade recipes. Feel free to add me!

lilRicki

I try between 100g - 150g of carbs a day. I do like my after workout bagel and fried eggs, hence the reason why I don't say I'm "low carb".

kconrad1712

Hi there! I am trying to be low-carb and eat clean. I try to keep my diet of 70% good fats, 20% protein and 10% carbs.

aarnwine2013

I am also on the low carb diet. I love it! I feel great. I have noticed that my weightloss stalls if I cheat so I'm trying to stay on it. Feel free to add me.

Let's do this!

Trilby16

Wow. I'm trying to stick to around 20g/day!!! I don't think my body would notice if I ate 100g per day. Come to think of it, 20 is not making a difference yet either. I'm having salads for lunch (very basic greens, not even shredded carrot) and then meat, cheese, eggs, some almonds. That's about it. A little vodka at night. LOL. I need to get this pudge moving off me.

shortemr

I did low carb three years ago and lost 50lbs and kept it off without really trying. But then I started Nursing school and started gaining weight like no other. I've gain back 25 pounds. I'm starting low carb again. I like it cause it's easy. Came on the forums for some motivation, it's nice not to feel alone. Feel free to add me

issydhan

Hi. I have been using fitness pal since October 2013 and I have lost around 24lbs so far. The last 14 are really difficult to shift! So ive changed things to try and shock my body. One if them being the reduction of carbs and increase in protein. I like to look at the carb/fat/protein percentage. I am a6ft 3 male and my aim isn't to become hugely built but slim and toned. My carb fat protein is usually around 21% 27% 52%.

I'm hitting about 1800 calories in total a day.

Does this sound right?

I'm not a fanatic gym goer but I have started visiting a personal trainer twice a week and boy does he make me slog. My heart is racing and my muscles feel very sore all over.

IcanIwill1

I am supposed to be doing low carb but I keep slipping
I was 227lbs in July 2013, I am now 143lbs. I was really diligent the first 5months. With a walking program I was losing between 15 and 17lbs a month.
Then I fell off the low carb wagon. I began to give myself permission to eat breads, and cereal (had a bowl of warm milky Chex this evening) and its been back and forth - back and forth, with my weight loss, I have lost the same 5lbs more than 10 times since February.
The only thing that has worked for me despite my sabotaging my efforts has been low carb. I find it sustainable. I know that despite my indiscipline it is the only doable way of eating for me.
I also know my problem stems from knowing that I am now in size 4-8US (8-12UK) clothes so the damage is minimal or non existent.
I have been overweight all my adult life and this is the first time I know I can realistically get to my goal of 125lbs, and never be obese again.

I also accept I will never not eat the occasional bread, or cereal(my weakness), Unlike before, I look forward to getting back on track. whereas in the past, I used to dread the debilitating hunger that eating to stay at a healthy weight entailed and eventually gave up and put all the weight back on.
Low carb way of eating has totally eliminated that kind of suffering for me.

Sazagirl82

Hi everyone! Good to read that people are getting some good results with low carb. Feel free to add me
My plan is based on low carb, but not intentionally - I don't monitor how many carbs I get per day but I have eliminated grains entirely and get most energy from proteins and some fat. I haven't had cravings, and I quite enjoy eating this way, because carbs are definitely what trigger me to overeat the most... now I feel like I am more in control of what I am putting into my body and am loving the high protein intake - so filling but doesn't make me feel sluggish like carbs do.

MSeel1984

We're doing lowER carb at our house...but mostly choosing healthier carbs (root vegetables, lentils, beans, fruit, etc) and doing bread, chips, etc less often/rarely.

If we do grains, I'm trying to do healthier, more natural forms (like muesli, brown rice, oats, etc).